Petunia plant named `Revolution Pastelpink`

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is a decumbent type petunia plant having long stems and below-moderate leaves. The plant has abundant branching and a great profusion of blooms, and the whole bush remains in bloom for a considerable period of time. The flowers are single and small and the petals have strong purplish pink color with dull yellow green lines radiating from yellowish white bottom throat portion. The plant is highly resistant to rain, heat, disease and drought.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of petuniaplant obtained from crossing `Revolution Purplepink` (♀) and one petuniaplant (♂) having white color petal which was selected from twicebackcrossing of a wild type of petunia native to Brazil as mother plantand `Recoverer White` as pollen parent.

Petunia is a very popular plant and is used for flower bedding andpotting in the summer season. There are only a few varieties of thepetunia plant which do not have an upright growth habit and which have ahigh resistance to rain, heat, drought and cold. Accordingly, thisinvention was aimed at obtaining a new variety of decumbent habitpetunia plant having long stems and large blooms, pink petal color, thebush remaining in bloom for a considerable period of time, and a highresistance to rain, heat, drought and cold.

The new variety of petunia plant according to this invention originatedfrom a crossing of `Revolution Purplepink`, which is a petunia plantbred by the present inventors, as the female parent and one petuniaplant (♂) having white color petal which was selected from twicebackcrossing of a wild type of petunia native to Brazil as mother plantand `Recoverer White` as pollen parent, in June, 1988 at the YachiyoFarm of KEISEI ROSE NURSERIES, Inc., residing at 755 Owadasinden,Yachiyo-shi, Chiba-ken, Japan. From this crossing, 350 seedlings wereobtained in 1989, from which 5 desired seedlings were selected,propagated by cutting, and then grown as a trial by flower bedding andpotting in planters. Only one of the 5 resulting plants was selected, asthe most desirable one. The botanical characteristics of thefinally-selected plant were then examined, using a comparative variety,female parent `Revolution Purplepink`, for comparison, from the springof 1990. As a result, it was concluded that this petunia plant isclearly distinguishable from the comparative variety in flower color,while maintaining beneficial characteristics thereof, and it is furtherdistinguishable from any other variety, whose existence is known to us,and this new variety of petunia plant was named `Revolution Pastelpink`.

In the following description, the color-coding is in accordance with TheHorticultural Color Chart of The Royal Horticulatural Society, London,England (RHS Color Chart), and the Japan Color Standard forHorticultural Plant (JHS Color Chart).

The female parent, `Revolution Purplepink` (see, U.S. Plant Pat. No.6,915), which originated from a crossing of a wild type of petunia (♀)native to Brazil and `Recover White` (♂), is presently maintained at theaforementioned Yachiyo Farm of the KEISEI ROSE NURSERIES, Inc., andPlant Biotechnology Laboratory, Institute for Fundamental Research ofSUNTORY Ltd., and is world wide marketed. The main botanicalcharacteristics of this female parent are as follows.

Plant:

Growth habit.--Decumbent. The stems hang down when potted in a hangingpot.

Plant height.--15-20 cm.

Spreading area of plant.--The stem extends to a length of 50-80 cm fromthe base, and thus the spreading area of the plant is 100-150 cm indiameter.

Growth.--Very vigorous with abundant branching, a great profusion ofblooms; the whole bush remaining in bloom for a considerable period oftime.

Blooming period.--Late March to late September, in the southern Kantoarea, Japan. The plant shape does not change throughout this period.

Stem:

Thickness.--Main stem 4.0-6.0 mm; lateral stem 2.0-3.0 mm.

Color.--Strong to moderate yellow green (RHS 144B - 143C, JHS3512-3710).

Pubescence.--Normal.

Branching.--Over-abundant.

Length of internode.--1.0-1.5 cm before blooming; 3.0-4.0 cm duringblooming.

Leaf:

Phyllotaxis.--Verticillate before blooming; opposite during blooming.

Shape.--Lanceolate.

Size (average).--7.5-8.0 cm×2.5-3.0 cm, large.

Thickness.--0.5-0.7 mm.

Color.--Moderate yellow green (RHS 146B - 137D, JHS 3508 - 3712).

Pubescence.--Normal.

Flower: Opening obliquely upward.

Type.--Single.

Shape.--Funnel-shape, with five-fissured limb.

Diameter.--8.0-9.0 cm, large.

Petal color.--In the unopened stage (bud), deep to moderate purple (RHS86A - 83A, JHS 8307 - 8306); when open, vivid reddish purple (RHS 74A,JHS 9207); at full bloom, vivid reddish purple (RHS 71D - 74 B, JHS9206 - 9207), with strong reddish purple (RHS 72B, JHS 9208) linesradiating from a small brilliant purple (RHS 82C, JHS 8611) area closelyproximate to a pale to light yellow green (RHS 4D-145C, JHS 3310 - 3103)center portion. The small area completely surrounds the center portion.The reverse side of the petal is a light purple color (RHS 75B, JHS8903). The petal has a somewhat metallic luster.

Reproductive organs.--1 normal pistil having a grayish yellow green (RHS138A, JHS 3715) stigma, and 5 normal stamens each having a moderate blue(RHS 98B - 98C, JHS 8305) anther and a purple yellow green (RHS 145D,JHS 3502) filament.

Peduncle.--2.0 mm in thickness, and 2.0-2.5 cm in length.

Physiological and ecological characteristics: High resistance to rain,heat and drought. Also high resistance to disease, particularly graymold (Botrytis). Moderate resistance to pest.

The male parent of this new variety `Revolutiton Pastelpink` is onepetunia plant having white color petal which was selected from twicebackcrossing of a wild type of petunia native to Brazil as mother plantand `Recoverer White` as pollen plant. `Recoverer White` is one of theRecoverer Series bred by the SAKATA SEED Corp., Japan. The RecoverSeries includes `Recoverer Scarletred`, `Recoverer Blue`, and `RecovererPink`, and these plants are commonly characterized by a high resistanceto rain. The main botanical characteristics of `Recoverer White`, are asfollows.

Plant:

Growth habit.--Upright.

Plant height.--30-40 cm.

Spreading area of plant.--25-30 cm in diameter.

Blooming period.--April to September in the southern Kanto area, Japan.

Stem:

Thickness.--Main stem 5.0-7.0 mm; lateral stem 2.5-4.5 mm.

Color.--Strong yellow green (RHS 144B - 144 C, JHS 3512 - 3513).

Branching.--Abundant.

Pubescence.--Normal.

Length of internode.--2.0∝3.0 cm before blooming; 2.0-4.0 cm duringblooming.

Leaf:

Phyllotaxis.--Verticillate before blooming; opposite during blooming.

Shape.--Oval.

Size (average).--4.5-5.0 cm×2.5-3.0 cm.

Thickness.--0.4-0.6 mm.

Petal color.--Strong yellow green to moderate olive green (RHS 144A -146A, JHS 3507 - 3508).

Pubescence.--Few.

Flower: Opening obliquely upward.

Type.--Single.

Shape.--Funnel-shape, with five-fissuered limb.

Diameter.--8.0-8.5 cm.

Petal color.--In the unopened stage (bud), pale yellow green (RHS 4D -157A, JHS 3304 - 3303); both when open and at full bloom, greenish white(RHS 155D - 155C, JHS 3701).

Reproductive organs.--1 normal pistil having a strong yellow green (RHS144B - 144C, JHS 3512) stigma, and 5 normal stamens each having a paleyellow (RHS 161D, JHS 2503) anther and a greenish white (RHS 157D, JHS3501) filament.

Peduncle.--1.5-2.5 mm in thickness, and 2.5-3.0 cm in length.

Physiological and ecological characteristics: High resistance to rain,heat, and disease, and moderate resistance to pest.

This new and distinct variety of petunia plant, `Revolution Pastelpink`,was asexually reproduced by cutting at the aforementioned Yachiyo Farmof KEISEI ROSE NURSERIES, Inc., and Plant Biotechnology Laboratory,Institute for Fundamental Research of SUNTORY Ltd., and the homogeneityand stability thereof were confirmed.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new variety of petunia plant has a decumbent habit and long stemsand below-moderate leaves, and thus is very distinguishable from asimilar variety, `Recoverer White`, having an upright growth habit. Theplant has abundant branching and a great profusion of blooms, and thewhole bush remains in bloom for a considerable period of time, longerthan the blooming period of `Recoverer White`. The flowers are singleand small, smaller than `Recoverer White` and `Revolution Purplepink`,and the petal color is strong purplish pink which is clearlydistinguished from white color of `Recoverer White` and the vivid redpurple color of `Revolution Purplepink`, with dull yellow green linesradiating from yellowish white bottom throat portion. The plant ishighly resistant to rain, heat, and drought.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a photograph giving a partial view of the new variety ofpetunia plant planted in a flower bed;

FIG. 2 is a photograph of flowers of the new variety of petunia plant;

FIG. 3 is a photograph showing, in numerical order, a branch having anopen flower (3), a current shoot (4), a bud (5), a side view of theflower (6), a front view of the flower (7), a rear view of the flower(8), an interior view of the flower (9), and pistil and stamens (10), ofthe new variety of petunia plant; and

FIG. 4 is a photograph showing, in numerical order, a branch having anopen flower (1), a flower (2), a bud (3), and a current shoot (4) of thecomparative, `Revolution Purplepink`, in comparison with correspondingitems (5-8) of the new variety of petunia plant.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The botanical characteristics of the new and distinct variety of petuniaplant `Revolution Pastelpink` are as follows.

Plant:

Growth habit.--Decumbent. The stems hang down when potted in a hangingpot.

Plant height.--15-20 cm.

Spreading area of plant.--The stem extends to a length of 35-50 cm fromthe base, and thus the spreading area of the plant is 70-100 cm indiameter.

Growth.--Very vigorous with abundant branching, a great profusion ofblooms; the whole bush remaining in bloom for a considerable period oftime.

Blooming period.--Late March to late September, in the southern Kantoarea, Japan. The plant shape does not change throughout this period.

Stem:

Thickness.--Main stem 3.5-5.0 cm.

Anthocyanin pigmentation.--Little present.

Pubescence.--Medium.

Branching.--Over-abundant.

Length of internode.--3.0-3.5 cm.

Leaf:

Leaf attaching angle.'Horizontal slightly upward.

Shape.--Lanceolate.

Size (average).--2.5-4.5 cm×1.5-2.5 cm, below-moderate.

Thickness.--0.7 mm.

Color.--Dark yellow green (RHS 146A, JHS 3508).

Pubescence.--Medium.

Flower: Opening obliquely upward.

Type.--Single.

Shape.--Funnel-shape, with five-fissured limb.

Shape of tip.--Blunt.

Lobation.--Shallow.

Undulation of margin.--Weak.

Diameter.--3.0-4.5 cm, small.

Petal color.--At full blooming time, strong purplish pink (RHS 75A, JHS8904), with dull yellow green (RHS 147B, JHS 3514) lines radiating fromyellowish white (RHS 157C, JHS 3302) bottom throat portion. The outsideof the petal is a pale purplish pink (RHS 76D, JHS 8902).

Reproductive organs.--1 normal pistil and 5 normal stamens. Pistil ismedium shape and stamens are medium shape.

Peduncle.--2.0 mm in thickness, and 2.0-2.5 cm in length is medium.

Physiological and ecological characteristics: High resistance to rain,heat, cold and drought. Also high resistance to disease, particularlygray mold (Botrytis). Moderate resistance to pest.

This new variety of petunia plant is most suitable for flower beddingand potting, particularly in hanging pots or planters, and furtherexcellent for ground cover.

The plant of this new variety `Revolution Pastelpink` is presentlyplanted and maintained at the Yachiyo Farm of the KEISEI ROSE NURSERIES,Inc., residing at 755 Owadasinden, Yachiyo-shi, Chiba-ken, Japan, andPlant Biotechnology Laboratory, Institute for Fundamental Research ofSUNTORY Ltd., residing at 2913-1 Torihara, Hakushu-cho, Kitakoma-gun,Yamanashi-ken, Japan.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of petunia plant, substantiallyas herein illustrated and described, characterized particularly as tonovelty by (A) being a decumbent habit plant having long stems andbelow-moderate leaves, (B) an abundant branching and a great profusionof blooms, the whole bush remaining in bloom for a considerable periodof time, (C) flowers that are single and small, the petals having strongpurplish pink color with duall yellow green lines radiating from a smallyellowish white bottom throat portion, and (D) a high resistance torain, heat, drought, and disease.